![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-21984-100x100.png\")
I had heard this technique also. Searching a local Craigslist for a similar carrier phone saves on the unlock issue unless the phone to be unlocked is same or better than the broken one.
I had heard this technique also. Searching a local Craigslist for a similar carrier phone saves on the unlock issue unless the phone to be unlocked is same or better than the broken one.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-53958-100x100.png\")
When mine broke, I eBay'd a used one for less than half what the provider wanted for new. Put the SIM card in and was back in action.
4mo later I dropped the phone on the cement floor in the gym's change room and it too was toast.
I'm really hard on phones - lucky I don't have pets or kids, eh?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
@Julius Seizure. Jim to my Peeps: Try searching on eBay for the Toshiba V904T. It's the first phone I've had that's lasted me more than two years. Amazing build quality and cheaper than a Casio.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-117360-100x100.png\")
@Julius Seizure. Jim to my Peeps: Nah, just because you're careless with phones doesn't mean you would automatically be careless with pets or kids.
Dynamics change, but people still seem to like summary assumptions anyway.
@azntg: Casio makes some very beefy phones for people who are generally rough on them. My sister destroyed several Motorolas before moving to the Casio G'zOne Boulder. Online reviews complain about audio quality, but she's been happy with it. YMMV.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-761715-100x100.png\")
i bought a t-mobile prepaid phone online a while back, it was a cheap little nokia but i didn't need it for much, only emergency calls and texts if my current phone were to break. i bought it for $20 minus $20 instant rebate (which also came with $20 refill card). my free phone came in handy last month when my roommate lost his $400 phone on the bus (he was drunk).
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-414437-100x100.png\")
Yeah, you can do this with ATT as well.
On a semi-related note, when your contract is up, ATT and TMobile will give you the unlock code allowing you to sell your phone on ebay as an unlocked phone, which either carrier can use (in the united states).
@WiglyWorm: I can confirm that with AT&T, they can give you the unlock subsidy phones for most phones instantly even before the contract is up.
Last year, I was able to get the unlock codes for three phones instantly about 1.5 years into the contract (of a two year contract). The CSR handling my request expressed her surprise and told me that just two months ago (prior to my call at the time), there was a waiting period for the unlock code to be issued.
Unless AT&T changed policies lately, I assume that everyone else to use this to their advantage.
@WiglyWorm: It's been my experience that if you call either carrier to let them know you'd like to use your phone out of the country, they'll give you the unlock code (or refer you to a store), regardless of your contract.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-172388-100x100.png\")
@WiglyWorm: You actually don't have to wait until the contract is up. T-Mobile requires either 30 or 90 days as a customer before they will provide the code. AT&T is similar, but all carriers will provide an unlock code if you ask.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-958230-100x100.png\")
I've stocked up on a couple phones from ATT's website when they had prepaid phones for $10. You'll never know when you drop your phone in the toilet.
I did the same thing at Verizon, even though they don't use SIM cards. When I accidentally washed my cell phone, I went to a Verizon store for a replacement, and they tried to soak me for nearly $200, even though I carried insurance (on another cell phone in my family plan). I went to wal-mart, picked up a new prepaid phone for $19 and took it back to the Verizon store, where they applied the code (IDS number, I believe - it was printed right on the package) to my account. It worked perfectly, although I lost my address book and had to restore the data manually. Cell phone contract terms are outrageous - Seems we get no break for being long-standing customers who pay $Thousands per year in cell fees - in my case, for minutes that never get used.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-98787-100x100.png\")
@Mike Ankener: This unfortunately no longer works for Verizon. It was never supposed to work; pre paid phones were supposed to have to be activated as a pre paid for 6 weeks before you could activate them to a contract but they never enforced it. However, if you try to do it now the rep will tell you that the sim is a pre paid sim and can not be activated to a contract.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-132691-100x100.png\")
@Mike Ankener: Altho I know some people hate Sprint, it's been good to us and I used their $2 a month back up service b/c I'm really hard on phones and I work for myself. It backups your contacts, etc whenever you change it automatically.
I had to replace my phone twice and it was so simple - I just installed the program and within 20 mins, everythign was back.
Some people may find it horrible to pay $25 a year for that service but I know the pain in the butt of re-entering data is work more than $25 to me.
@Charlotte Rae's Web: If you use a CDMA phone, there's a little program called BitPim, that will do that for you. All you need is a data cable for your phone. I use it to back up my contacts (and important SMS messages (but not the pictures or videos, it's quicker to put them on the card separately). The OTHER nice thing you can do, is create ringtones with it. Me and the wife have the same phone (EnV2) so $20 for a data cable and we're done. We've used it with our Vx8300's for the past 2 years as well, data cable for that was in the music essentials pack, $30 at verizon stores. Maybe you should look into that, will pay for itself after the first year (sooner if you buy ringtones) and with them all going to microUSB in future, I now shouldn't ever have to buy another data cable (EnV2 is micro)
Oh, and skaperen, having 24 providers is great, if they all worked. Where I live now, the ONLY coverage comes from Verizon (and it's a good strong 3G signal)
@Charlotte Rae's Web: Verizon has a similar thing called backup assistant. It will automatically backup your contacts whenever you change them or at a set time every day. I don't know how much it costs but it is free if you manage your account online.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-350350-100x100.png\")
@Charlotte Rae's Web: Insurance plans seldom cover the whole account, you usually need the insurance on every line.
The only main provider I know that provides insurance for mobile phones is Asurion and I can tell you from having to deal with them as a Sprint rep, they have a reputation for poor customer service, botched claims, and misdirected phones.
Is Asurion the ones that Verizon uses? Not trying to say that your experience is untrue, but I used them once a couple of months ago and had an awesome experience. I had ripped the touch screen off my LG Dare, thinking it was a screen protector (long story lol). So I got online like on Wednesday night, did the claim on their website, paid my 50 bucks, and by 2pm the next day I had a brand new Dare in my hands. I know they say you most likely will get a refurb, and maybe i did, but it looked brand spanking new. Same box as a new one and everything. I was very impressed.
@Solange82200: I paid the insurance for my Samsung...and when it had a software meltdown and refused to get service outside of large cities (and even then it was iffy, no service west of 8th Ave in NYC), I got a same day swap no questions asked completely free. My guess is that when it's a user error it's the 50 dollar fee, when the phone goes completely ape-s*it it's free.
@sponica: I must add I was a couple months shy of my upgrade...so the phone was totally out of warranty.
@Solange82200: I'm pretty sure every major provider uses them though I could be wrong. There are plenty of customers that have had good experiences with them, but I've seen so many situations either escalate or get completely fubar'd because of them I can't really give them a stellar grade.
@dragonfire81: Ok I just chcked Asurion's website it seems they do provide coverage for all the major U.S. providers.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-887707-100x100.png\")
@Mike Ankener: you say \"Cell phone contract terms are outrageous\". This is why we need to get some serious competition in the phone market ... like no fewer than 24 providers. What we have today is not a free market at all.
She got really quiet and sad that she would \"have to pretend that I didn't hear that.\"
Why? Is she legally bound to call the police or something? Are they not going to sell her the phone if she doesn't promise to use it the right way? There's no contract, right?
Nope - but corporate policy would then prohibit her from completing the sale, and the OP would walk out with nothing.
I just keep my old cellphones around. Not only does it save me not having to worry about them floating around in the world w/my meager contact list, but if I every destroy my phone, I can use one of them as a back up. I just wish the bluetooth worked on my E815, best cellphone I ever owned.
@OMG! StopIt!_GitEmSteveDave: What are you trying to do with Bluetooth? There are seem hacks that enable several BT profiles that are disabled normally.
@courtarro: The bluetooth antenna/unit dies on my model, so nothing short of replacement of it could repair it. I spent 2 hours trying to get it to sync w/my Gods Damn headset...
All GSM carriers do this. In some countries it's actually fairly common to just lease the SIM card and buy a phone separately, not unlike how your lease your gateway device from Comcast and buy your own computer.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-316976-100x100.png\")
I've done this with Alltel, too. Twice. $25 for a brand new phone. The phone selection isn't great, but it's fine for me. I just want a phone, not the bells and whistles.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-17044-100x100.png\")
I'm surprised people don't do this more often.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-417754-100x100.png\")
I use a nice ATT GoPhone (on my postpaid account) except when I am in a spot where there is a chance for damage to the phone (working on a car or construction), then I swap the sim to my trusty Nokia 6010 (TMobile). You used to be able to unlock Nokia phones (GSM) yourself, but they have made changes. Was able to unlock the ATT phone myself and when I went overseas, put a sim from a EU carrier on it and saved a bundle.
The same thing happened to me. My Dash started not working about 6 months after I got it. I've been calling and trying to get something figured out, because honestly, I didn't want to pay for a new phone after recently buying a $300 one. Tech support \"tried\" to help me, but eventually the one year warranty came due and past, so I couldn't get it replaced. I called in to cancellations (a t-mobile rep at the store told me to do that and milk them for what they're worth!). They offered me a new phone and sim card for free. It's not a smart phone, but I'm hoping it'll work better than the Dash!
After working at Walmart long enough I can say this about AT&T and T-mobiles prepaid, no one buys them for prepaid. Everyone gets them for a cheap fix for broken phones and honestly I wouldn't blame them. When a contract phone costs nearly $200 for a cheap camera phone and you can walk about 10 steps and get a prepaid for $50 with a camera, you can't beat it.
It's odd the rep acted that way, twice when I've been in my local T-Mobile store I've heard different reps advise customers to do this, one time even going so far as mentioning they head over to Target across the street to buy it cheaper than the one they have in their own store.
I have a real fancy model, a Nokia N82, and I have a cheap T-mobile prepaid phone that I got for $15 on sale. And I always buy my phones from [www.myworldphone.com] instead of signing a contract for another 2 years just to get a discounted phone. I bought a really nice Nokia flip phone for $105. Works around the world, quad band, basic camera/mp3.
No I don't work for myworldphone.com
Confusing that they couldn't do anything like a phone for phone swap, as most phones have a year manufacturer's warranty (unless it wasn't a manufacturer's defect). I can't even tell you how many Verizon phones I've had that I've swapped out within a year.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-659687-100x100.png\")
I've used Ebay to replace lost/crappy phones with success. Used phones aplenty available, especially useful if you have Verizon which doesn't use sim cards.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-453211-100x100.png\")
In an effort to be \"that guy\" who has a phone glued to his ear all day, I only have a prepaid cell phone. Every one I've purchased has been off eBay for a pretty significant discount off the MSRP. Upfront, though, an unlocked or a pre-paid phone will generally be more expensive than a contract phone because it's not subsidized by the carrier. I guess that's not the case for replacements...
For GSM carriers, the phone is nothing more than a shell for the SIM card. You can mix and match pre/post-paid, swap SIMs, or even cross networks if the phone's unlocked. It's no secret at all that you can do this (I'd have to try hard to find someone I know who doesn't know this...but then again, I'm an engineer). If you use anyone but At&T or TMobile in the US, then you're likely out of luck.
If you ever have a problem with the store itself letting you do it, just go to a Walmart or Best Buy type store that is a reseller and buy the phone there.
When my grandmother's phone broke, she just went to Walmart, bought a $30 prepaid AT&T phone and the guy there helped her put the card in. Piece of cake.
Funny, if this is all true I was straight-up lied to by a T-Mobile rep the last time I went into their store. I had lost my phone while moving and wanted a cheap and easy replacement, and he told me more than twice that the pre-paid phones would not work for my plan and the minimum amount I had to spend was $80 - $60 for the cheapest phone they carried and $20 for a new SIM card. Just another reason why I'll be switching carriers when my contract expires.
Another good use for prepaid phones is to test out reception in your area before switching to a new carrier; it's easier than signing up for a contract, porting your number, cancelling your existing service, and testing w/in the 15 day trial period.
I'm thinking about switching to Sprint when the Pre comes out. Before taking the plunge I plan on getting a cheap Virgin Mobile pre-paid (which runs on Sprint's network) to see if reception in and around the home are decent.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-35632-100x100.png\")
T-Mobile prepaid to the rescue! My husband and I have a spare one for the next time one of our phones breaks.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-376262-100x100.png\")
You can also have ANY phone unlocked that takes a sim card. It's like $25. It's what I've done in a pinch.
This is what I am doing when my phone dies or the battery stops charging. I just need a phone no bells and whistles, don't even need a camera phone and buying a new phone is a lot better than buying an aftermarket battery that may explode or not work correctly.
I just picked up a pre paid t-mobile on sale at walgreens for $19.99. It's great to buy a few and keep them around when you or a friend runs into problems. Ebay's full of unlocked phones you can do this with as well. I used to have a razr from ATT and I break them like toys.
craigslist and ebay are the way to go
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-7378-100x100.png\")
When my son's phone got stolen, we simply ported his number over to my wife's old phone. When we recovered the phone, we were able to port it right back. Good reason to keep the old phone around.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-444699-100x100.png\")
When I used to work at Radio Shack, I would inform ATT post paid customers of this fact, but after a while Corporate informed us that we could get written up for selling prepaid phones as post paid replacements. I still did it, but not as directly. One major stipulation was that we couldn't put post paid sims in prepaid phones. The customers had to do it themselves. I kept doing it simply because I thought that it was ridiculous to pay so much for a replacement phone when a ten dollar solution was available.
I thought Verizon had blacklisted the ESN's of the prepaid phones they sold in various retail outlets from being activated on post-paid accounts? I remember running into this about a year or so ago when I was repeatedly cycling through phones in an attempt to find a fit, and didn't necessarily want to extend a contract I was trying to stay out of.
If you can still activate a pre-paid phone on a post-paid account, that is good info to have. What I tend to do now is shop for pre-owned devices on Craig's List or eBay and hope for the best. (Clean ESN, no faults with the device, etc)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-564421-100x100.png\")
@Sam Wille: Last I knew, yes, they still were not allowing pre-paid phones on their post paid contracts.
In fact, the last time I talked to a Verizon rep about it (I work for a company that provides service through multiple providers), they stated that if a customer wanted to do that, they had to have the pre-paid phone active for at least 6 months before they could put the prepaid ESN on the post paid account.
This is nothing new for me. This is something I've told people to do for YEARS, even as an AT&T rep (which may explain why I no longer work for them). I mean, honestly, if you don't have the money to spend for a $100 replacement, it's easier and much cheaper in the long run to buy a $10 cheapy, just to ride out the remainder of the contract, or until your upgrade eligibility date, whichever comes first.
Now, if you have the money to throw around for a $100, $200, $300 or more phone, well, then, by all means, more power to you, but personally, I don't have the money for that.
@Sam Wille: Verizon's phones don't use SIM Cards, do they? I'd imagine that's a different situation that T-Mobile and AT&T since their phones do.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-109236-100x100.png\")
I knew this when I signed up over a year ago with them and even mentioned it to the sales rep and he acted like this was a selling feature of their service, not a secret to be kept. Odd that this person got that reaction. I switched to them from Verizon and I save over $40/month, which made my wife VERY happy.
Check Craigslist. Personally, whenever I need a phone, whether it is high or low-end, I check Craigslist. Usually you can find some really great deals on new or used devices, and it's always nice to get a new phone contract free for much cheaper than the carrier's cost. As long as you are careful and wary of scams, craigslist is great. (hint: NEVER ship items anywhere, period. If they need it shipped to their current location, they can find one locally. Most likely they are trying to screw you over)
To save even more money, you can unlock AT&T's GoPhones fairly easily (usually just a code you can Google for) and use them on TMobile.
BTW - When I switched to a new Sprint phone, I went into the store and they transferred my contacts and stuff for me for free. They had a neat little gizmo with all of the various connectors for all the phones.
That might be a handy device to look for online...
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-313764-100x100.png\")
Recently I tried to buy a T-Mobile Phone on Craigslist, but everybody wanted pretty much full retail on their phones, even if they were used or missing accessories. Many ads included the line \"no lowball offers.\" Well, I say no highball offers either.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-891311-100x100.png\")
@ChuckECheese: Par for the course on Craigslist. I have successfully purchased several used phones on CL before, but I make sure I get the ESN (and CHECK it with my carrier) and a written verification that the screen is perfect and the case is barely scratched before even bothering to meet.
Rarely have I been disappointed, and the ones who don't write back eliminate their scammy selves straight away.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-95687-100x100.png\")
I had a friend do the same thing once when his phone broke. He wasn't quite ready to buy a new one because he was waiting for one he really wanted to be released. So he bought a go phone and put his ATT SIM in the go phone until he got his new one.
I had another friend convert his Unlocked SLIVR to Go Phone by doing the same thing. Only buying the go phone for the SIM card.
Unfortunately I'm with Sprint, so swaps aren't quite THAT easy, but you can do an ESN swap from their website. I have a brand new Sprint RAZR in my desk drawer as a backup if my Touch Pro breaks (even with the insurance it still takes a while to get a replacement.). Nextel iDen phones are easy to swap too since they have SIM cards (but aren't GSM)
@MrEvil: I was able to put a Boost Mobile (Nextel iDEN)sim in a Nextel phone and it worked perfect, but wasn't able to get the Nextel sim to work in the Boost phone. Wanted a code. I guess that keeps the Nextel crowd from getting cheap Boost phones.
The last two times I renewed my contract, I just kept my old phone in a drawer in case I ever needed a quick replacement. So far, I haven't had to resort to the old phone, since insurance has covered the times I've ruined my current phone and I can survive a day or two without a phone.
@GANZHIMSELF: I use a phone that originally retailed above $600, and in-store refurbs were a long-shot at best. Since they're available for $50-100 used now, I just picked one up and stuck it in my drawer as a spare. Sprint takes 3-5 days to get a replacement unit to the stores, I don't want to suddenly deal with no phone service for a week if the phone dies.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-8966-100x100.png\")
Slightly off topic...does anyone else get upset by the amount of cell phones that get trashed every year? Landfills, etc.? The constant need by most to upgrade all of the time? Pricing structures that make replacing a phone cheaper than getting a new battery?
I kept one phone for about 5 years before I was forced to upgrade. My current one is 3 yrs old. I know that there's recycling of cell phones, but not everything inside of them gets reused.
@quail: The best thing to do (after you wipe all of your personal data) is contact a local service agency who will take them and give them to battered women's shelters. Remember, even if you have no service, you can still make a 911 call.
@The_Legend: the zoo collects cell phones as well...and there are charities that collect them. honestly once i no longer have the phone it becomes NOT MY PROBLEM
Just don't activate the phone as a pre-paid with the pre-paid sim, then insert your contract sim. Then they will cancel your account. Its against the TOS of both the pre-paid and contract services. But if you never activate the pre-paid on THAT phone, your golden.
I don't even bother with going to T-Mobile or ATT when it comes time to upgrade or replace my phone. eBay has been my best friend. I have pre-paid with both and when the time comes, I just fire up eBay and choose that phone I've been pining for.
Has the warranty been shortened? I had a phone go south after about 6 or 7 months and figured I would have to buy a replacement like the op. The rep at the T-Mobil store mentioned it was still under warranty (by them as opposed to manufacturer?) and could be mailed in for a replacement. He submitted the claim and handed me a print out. A replacement phone came and all I did was send back the broken unit in the same box using the enclosed pre-paid sticker. Perhaps the op can do some digging and see if the same would apply.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-25168-100x100.png\")
Yeah, I'm on ATT and that's what I did when my 4 year-old so-crappy-it-cost-negative-$20-after-subsidy-only-makes-calls phone finally bit the dust. I happened to be outside target, walked in and bought their finest $10 gophone, swapped the SIM in, and was good to go, minus my address book that wasn't on the SIM.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-400379-100x100.png\")
If you can wait a week for the phone, logon to My T-Mobile. For some reason you can get a new phone w/discounts every month as long as you extend your contract.
My first phone was a prepaid phone, a Tracfone.
It got hit by a car. I was riding my bike across a street, it slipped out and I heard it hit the ground. So when I got to the other side of the street, I turned around and CRUNCH! An SUV rolled right over it.
Believe it or not, I gathered up the pieces and put it back together and it somewhat worked. The phone only split into three pieces.
I did get a new one, though. The phones - and the minutes - are pretty cheap.
I barely use the phone, though. An occasional text or just to check what time it is.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-71417-100x100.png\")
Nothing new here. If you have service with a company that uses a SIM card, you can use ANY phone that takes a SIM card. So if your T-mobile phone breaks, you can take your T-mobile SIM card out of it and put it in an ATT phone and it will work. Any phone that takes a SIM card will work with any company's SIM card.
VERY Important.
First off do not go to walmart for these it is against their vendor license to sell the phone to you for this purpose. Some stores are smart enough to say no.
Secondly, if you read the terms of service you can be sued for doing this! The prepaid phones specifically state that they are for prepaid service only. They are usually made by companies other than the phone company and resold for a % of card sale kickbacks. These companies get very mad when people use the phone without the cards.
Being sued isnt important to you? Nice... Wasting a trip that for some people may be a 35-40 mile drive to the store isn't important? Wow, you must have lots of time and money to waste.
Thiss is now actually allowed and encouraged at AT&T.
AT&T now has some prepaid devices that come with $15 of included airtime. If you pick one of these up and use it on your postpaid account, the system will automatically add 150 bonus airtime minutes to your account.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-7284-100x100.png\")
I've done it with AT&T's Go Phone for my daughter. I almost got another V3 to replace my old V3 (Wife actually wanted it for when she goes overseas, I got it unlocked just for that), but I couldn't find them when I wanted them (until Walmart finally started pushing them for Christmas, too late!) and got a Nokie 6650 instead.
Why didn't she just use her old phone? I still have my old phones for his very reason.
i have a tmobile blackberry curve 8320 for sale. hit me up if intrested. at aim is my email. this username.
That's funny; I have a friend who went through the same thing with AT&T. He just went to Wal Mart and bought a $30 pre-paid phone and put his SIM card in and it worked. I was blown away. I am shocked that they haven't stopped this from working.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-146474-100x100.png\")
When my tmobile Wing died, I called and because it was within a year, they replaced it. The story doesn't say if he tried simply having them replace it within warranty or if it was broken outside of the warranty agreement...but I'd say always call and see if they'll just send you a replacement phone. I didn't have any issues getting a replacement phone from them.
In fact, when the replacement failed a month later, they did it again, and then again :p I know they were sending it refurbished, but they also have a policy that if you get THREE falty replacement, as in, if all three of the phones they gave me to replace the original one, fail, they will give you a free upgrade.
The last one worked, or I'd be using a new G1. I was promised such by three managers. I also think, though, that the last one wasn't refurbished. They sent me a new one, I believe, to avoid the free upgrade rule.
Either way, I ended up with a new phone for free. Always call and ask.
Yeah, this is the advantage of SIm-based phones.
I used to have 2 handsets I used a lot around 2000; my nice Siemens S11 (5 colour screen!) and some cheap motorola PAYG/prepay handset. The Siemens was my everyday phone, but if I was going somewhere the phone might fall, or get banged into something, into the moto it went.
Sounds like a neat idea.. I've known several people who have done this, both with AT&T and T-Mobile.
As far as the rep saying she would pretend she didn't hear that the phone was going to be used for a post paid account, that's because T-Mobile prohibits the use of Pre-Paid phones on a post paid account.
I worked in retail sales for T-Mobile for a while and was told by several different trainers and managers that prepaid phones were for use only with the prepaid service, however, I never knew of anyone (customer or rep) getting in trouble for offering or using this much cheaper alternative to replacing a full-cost phone.
Kudos to yall who have done this... excellent idea.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-447942-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-55601-100x100.png\")
My mother did this recently but with an AT&T prepaid and was advised at the AT&T store to go to Walmart and pick one up and if she had a problem to bring it back and they would help her.
@Miss Scarlett is made of sugar and spice and everything nice: Same here. I got my pre-paid phone for $29 at Sam's Club, slipped the sim card in and I was good to go.
@Miss Scarlett is made of sugar and spice and everything nice: I was told to do something similar. My PDA broke and I was going to have to pay full price (500+) for a new one. I needed a quick replacement since it is a work phone so they told me to go to Rite Aid and buy a go phone. I got a go phone for $14.99 and was back in business! I was able to order a new phone the following month since my contract finally expired!